The following is a letter from Dr. Matthew Lin, candidate for the 49th Assembly District, to Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-El Monte.) Chu is running for the 27th Congressional District that serves Claremont. Attached as a graphic to this article is Judy Chu's cease and desist letter. For background on this issue, click here.
The Honorable Judy Chu
Re: Cease and Desist letter regarding the use of your name and image
Dear Congresswoman Chu:
I thank you for contacting me directly to address concerns you have regarding the use of your name and image in my campaign literature, and for allowing us to have an open dialogue on the matter. I certainly wish I had been afforded the same courtesy when my photo was misused and blatantly edited to present me in a false light, or when my wife’s social security number was distributed on multiple campaign mailers to voters across the district by an Assembly Candidate you so ardently support- but that is another matter all together.
As for the accusations you have leveled against me- misusing the likeness and name of an elected official- they are serious in nature, so I will address this issue in full.
I am proud of living in this community over the past 34 years, raising kids and taking of my parents. I also take great pride in the work I have done for the San Gabriel Valley, not only as a surgeon practicing in this area, but as a resident dedicated to supporting local causes. You and many other elected officials have been extremely kind and generous over the years in recognizing me for my philanthropic work and for my dedication to this community, so I found it fitting to make this information available to the voters of our district. My mailers feature photos and awards bestowed upon me in their original unedited form along with a disclaimer which clearly states that no endorsement is implied. Such practice is both appropriate and lawful.
I sincerely apologize for any undue distress my actions have caused, and hope that you can accept my apology. Should you wish to retract the multiple California State Assembly and Congressional Recognitions you have presented to me over the years for my service to the community-beginning in the year 2005 and spanning half a decade- you are welcome to do so. These documents are made readily available at my campaign office for you to pick-up or for the public’s reference.
